Kendrapara: The residents of Samgudia (Hatapada) village in Ward No-1 of Kendrapara municipality Friday resorted to agitation by burning tyres and placing a log near the RD office on Ichhapur-Angulai Road in protest against the alleged step-motherly attitude of the administration in removing rainwater from the locality.
Shyamaghan Moharana, a protester, said for three days their houses were inundated with three feet water, and most villagers were taking shelter at the Ichhapur High School.
He said they have been leading a miserable life as preparing food is difficult with water submerging hearths. But the administration has not taken any steps to remove water from their locality, he added.
“Thursday we approached the Collector and demanded immediate steps to drain water from our locality and provide polythene sheets and relief material to the affected people. The Collector assured us that he would send flattened rice and polythene sheets to us. But the promises remained unfulfilled till 10 am Friday. So we blocked the road,” said Ranjulata Das, a woman.
“Cold and fever have affected several children and women as they have been exposed to the rain. But nothing has been done to provide medicines,” said Mamali Das, another protester.
Executive officer of Kendrapara municipality, Debabrata Bal, reached the protest site and started pumping the rainwater out with the help of fire brigade.
The people said that due to the faulty drainage system built by the R&B department from Baladevjew temple to Mausima temple their houses were inundated. “I will discuss the matter with R&B department and the Collector,” said Bal.
As the rain has stopped the situation is improving in several villages. Rainwater has receded from the villages and 16 pumps have been engaged to remove water from submerged areas, he added.
But the situation in Ranapada is yet to improve as the swelling river Govari has been entering low lying areas.
PNN